“The first players to take a knee during the national anthem did so to bring attention to two issues — police misconduct and social inequality,” McCaskey said. “These are legitimate issues that deserve discussion and action. As a country, we can do better. It’s part of the founding fathers’ charge to us to form a more perfect union.”

My heart swelled with patriotism when I first read McCaskey’s words. It’s not every day an NFL owner stands before the press and talks about the founding fathers instead of draft picks, officiating, attendance or some other aspect of the game.

Such are the times in which we live.

McCaskey went on to talk about divisiveness, respect for the flag and how the players’ actions have been mischaracterized. He answered questions and expressed his personal view on what players should do during the anthem.

“We think players should stand,” he said.

I think McCaskey would much rather talk about how new Bears coach Matt Nagy is teaching quarterback Mitch Trubisky and other players a new offense. I realize the NFL is big business, with billions of dollars in TV contracts and merchandising deals. But football is a game, and that’s what fans seem to care about most.

Fans don’t seem to mind that merchandise is widely available that incorporates American flag designs into T-shirts, hats and other products with NFL team branding.

Since Thursday is Flag Day, it’s a good time to check what the U.S. Flag Code says about using the stars and stripes to sell stuff.

“The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like … No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform.”

Hmmm, this whole controversy about the NFL and patriotism and respect for the flag seems more complicated than I initially thought.

“There is no easy answer to the anthem issue,” McCaskey said in his prepared remarks the other day. “No one is entirely right, nor entirely wrong.”

I understand why NFL owners adopted the policy that players should stand for the anthem on the field or remain in the locker room. The policy says players who kneel could be subject to fines.

I think the policy is a response to criticism from President Donald Trump, who uses the issue to appeal to his base of supporters. I think the controversy over players kneeling was bad for business, and the NFL didn’t want to alienate up to half its potential audience.

I also understand why some members of the Illinois Congressional delegation expressed their concerns in a letter to Bears owners.

“The issue of police brutality and inequality for people of color is the reason that NFL players are using their constitutional right to free speech and peaceful protest to address this concern,” the letter said.

I think powerful forces, including the president, have seized control of the narrative and made the debate about patriotism instead of free speech, police brutality and equality.

To me, that’s deflecting from the root issue instead of confronting it. Smart people know this to be true.

“It was unfortunate that on-field protests created a false perception among many that thousands of NFL players were unpatriotic,” McCaskey said last week. “This is not and was never the case.”

That’s why I’m curious to see how NFL players respond in September when the regular season begins. Will some risk fines by kneeling during the anthem? Will teams stand together on the field, or stay together in locker rooms?

“The NFL chose to not consult the union in the development of this new ‘policy,’” the statement read. “Our union will review the new ‘policy’ and challenge any aspect of it that is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement.”

How will fans react? Illinois, and Chicago in particular, is about as Democratic and blue as it gets. I think in their letter, the members of Congress assumed the concerns they raised would speak to their base of voters.

“The Chicago Bears have a current roster that is 68 percent African American in a league which is 70 percent black,” they wrote. “You benefit from the support of so many fans of color who share player concerns on the issue of police brutality.”

McCaskey told reporters Thursday that he hadn’t yet seen the letter.

“I’m happy to have a constructive conversation with our duly elected representatives,” he said. “But, to me, the fact that the letter was released to the media before we’ve even had a chance to see it suggests the motivation may be more making political points than having a constructive conversation.”

I wish people didn’t feel like they had to choose sides in this debate. I wish people could have civil discussions about serious, complex issues. I wish people would find more common ground on matters that unite us, rather than divide us.

I also hope the Bears improve as a team and are worth watching this season.